A list of cycle road races on the 2019 road race calendar that feature gravel, pave and dirt.
I have always had an interest in cycle races that deviate away from asphalt roads such as the Paris Roubaix ‘Spring Classic’ held over the notorious pave of northern France and I have often posted video, pictures and results on Social Media. In 2018 I began listing cycle road races that have in common a touch of the ‘Roubaixesque’ about them.
Most races across Europe in 2018 were generally held in dry conditions although two on my list weren’t – the white mud caked faces of both women and men in the Strade Bianchi highlighted that conditions especially for the women were wet. Similarly the La Classique Morbihan women’s race held in France on May 25 was hit by a deluge and the gravel and dirt roads there became a huge challenge.
The basic list of races I posted at the start of 2018 season grew as I became aware of other events, including a number in Scandinavia. No doubt just as I was caught out in 2018 I will also be in 2019 and this list is very much a work in progress. it will be updated as race organisers reveal their routes further into 2019.
Many of these races attract cyclo cross riders and in the 2017 edition of Dwars door het Hageland World Cyclo Cross Champions; Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel battled down to the wire for the win.
All the races featured in 2018 including a few ‘gravel’ stage races that may not do so in 2019 (eg. Colorado Classic, Giro d’Italia etc.) can be found here – 2018 Results/Video
Many of the fixtures have live streaming via the internet and when possible we will preview each race at ‘Velo Klubhaus‘.
2018 Results, video and pictures
Roubaixesque (finding time in London to live the dream)
Dengie Tour (such a cool UK race, alas no longer held)
Main picture is a screen shot from Paris Tours 2018
Race dates 2019
My list of races with links to results, websites and videos. Sadly I cannot say that all the video links will survive review by the geo-restriction or TV rights ‘police’.
Tar and Gravel – January 19 2019 – Results/Video posted
A UCI New Zealand Race and for the first time there will also be a women’s edition.
Held in the Manawatu Region of New Zealand the race covers five gravel sectors making up approximately 40km.
2018 Men Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1m0CdBQvmo
2018 Men Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1m0CdBQvmo
Website: http://gravelandtar.com
Le Samyn – March 5 2019 – Results/Video posted
The mini-‘Roubaix’ held in memory of Jose Samyn and raced since 1968.
The race features a number of cobble sections in the Wallonia region of Belgium and the 2018 edition saw frozen earth thrown into the air like dust.
2018
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56411zLZxRg
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB9HcT9-ti8
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3qjtST7trQ
Previous years
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPXzVSBbf3Q
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcNPVwaTPc8
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwz8ZKvRgOA
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egO9UfHwGII
If it rains: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwz8ZKvRgOA&t=240s
Website: http://www.lesamyn.be/
Strade Bianche – March 9 2019 – Results/Video posted
Held on the ‘white roads’ of Tuscanny from Siena to Siena. This race has grown to cult and beyond ‘Classic’ status in a very short period of time, and is seen by many as a modern ‘Monument’ of cycling.
The white gravel roads intermingled with tarmac and many climbs, are dusty when dry and makes ‘mud people’ out of riders when wet.
2018 Men
Highlights/English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqX1T4Mh3ec ()
Highlights Italian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4MQGsI3pDg
Wout falls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBVqVmG47WQ
Wout falls 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxmaJRn5hpo
Onboard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoxaBGtmosQ
Finish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBo4Ld3OJrM
Katusha team: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1zmuCrcJoI&t=11s
2018 Women
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqrcieK4rdo
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-66p8J8D7Po
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHn8Wnn9qHA
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsM3nytVzAA
Previous years
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HyxhvIYZQM
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6eebGra4hk
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPomEbKDpQk
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTFsu22fG4I
Website: http://www.strade-bianche.it/en/
Gent Wevelgem – March 31 2019– Results/Video posted
In addition to twice up the Kemmelberg climb the race features three ‘dirt’ sections (ploegsteerts or ‘plug streets, the latter pointing out the inability of Commonwealth soldiers to grasp hold of Flemish nuances in WW1).
On these dirt roads lie many clusters of spent humanity on what was once the fighting line through Belgium and France – We rode the Kemmelberg in 2013
2018 All champions – https://www.facebook.com/gentwevelgem/videos/1924729617559045/
2018 Men
The finish – https://www.facebook.com/gentwevelgem/videos/1924654507566556/
Kemmelberg 2nd time – https://www.facebook.com/gentwevelgem/videos/1924572387574768/
Christmas Truce Plug St – https://www.facebook.com/gentwevelgem/videos/1924551087576898/
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULkTN_MWu9k
2018 Women
Video: https://www.facebook.com/gentwevelgem/videos/1922266887805318/
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R4njDD4hPY
Previous years
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-BfYTst7G4&t=18s
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLcTcMud3Pg&t=2s
Website: http://www.gent-wevelgem.be/
Boulder Roubaix – April 6 2019 – Results/Video posted
Boulder celebrates Colorado’s (USA) oldest bike race held over an almost 19 kilometre circuit containing tarmac and 60% hilly gravel roads.
This is an American homage to the French Paris Roubaix classic and there is a Gran Fondo.
Top US riders such as Katie Compton have taken part in the past. Men do 4 laps and the women 3 laps.
2017 report: https://www.dbcevents.com/news/2017roubaixrecap
2017 TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=-EzE2J5PQPs
2017 on board: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuMdwc6R__A
2017 women on board: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of5EvfBGMLU
2017 gravel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-lZC1ZuyK8
Website: https://www.dbcevents.com/
Paris Roubaix – April 14 2019– Results/Video posted
The biggest of the selection of races I am following and it’s the ‘Hell of the North’!!
2018 Men Video
Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ygpaL0xfbA
Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoViKmFrfoA
Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKqtCMT3BMA
On board: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzpx_qY_ZqI&t=4s
Bikes of 2018: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3B_M4dLb44
The finish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsSv0bVzXDY
Carrafour De L’Arbre: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qECcSXNn1o
Team video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AzM4svB3dk
Previous years
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTp__vtNwJo
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzpx_qY_ZqI
Stage nine of the 2018 Tour de France from Arras Citadelle to Roubaix featured 20 kilometres of the ‘Queen of the North’ pave raced over 15 sectors.
Report: https://www.facebook.com/globalcyclingnetwork/….
Report: https://www.facebook.com/letour/…
Report: https://www.facebook.com/veloncc/…
Report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=600xQer7UvY
On board: https://www.facebook.com/veloncc/….
The sprint: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95iHduSgj98
Quick report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYzsxWZqo7E
Report: https://www.facebook.com/letour/videos/1732124483503590/
Froome crashes: https://www.youtube.com/…
Winner interview: https://www.facebook.com/EurosportUK/…
Plus – Paris Roubaix Rad Rennen – Media Wars
Website: http://www.paris-roubaix.fr/us/
Tro-Bro Léon – April 22 2019 – Results/Video posted
Held in Brittany where going off road seems to be of a second nature.
2018 Men
French full race – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U-HivGqU0g
French last Km’s – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSnybRJob6Y
Previous years
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0vDisdXpqk
Website: https://www.trobroleon.com/
GP Herning – April 27 2019 – Results/Video posted
The route includes 30 kilometres over fifteen sections of gravel tracks held in Jutland, ‘GP Herning – En forårsdag på heden – GP Herning – A spring day on the moors’.
2019 Preview: https://www.facebook.com/grandprixherning/…
Men 2018 Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF-sKbfhOgA
Previous Years
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=vKZkgX-YTKo
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fibwYV8hq8w
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SldiQbW413c
Website: http://gpherning.dk/
Rutland – Melton International CiCLE Classic – April 28 2019 – Results/Video posted
Britain’s best race and set in the Melton Mowbray area featuring a number of tough dirt sections.
2018 Men
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeQtOY7lGtE
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpE6IbuPFy0
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJ0GtK-Qquo
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_jyNM0Q3Fs
Previous years
Video – https://youtu.be/qFfzR9lwcrY
Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6Hn6CIPUVc
Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuYSJWxhK1Q
Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY_vWAcqHYQ
Website: http://cicleclassic.co.uk/
GP Himmerland Rundt – May 4 2019 – Results/Video posted
Ten dirt roads to be traversed in Jutland, Denmark.
2019 preview: https://www.facebook.com/194169333950200/videos/2274742736186801/
2018 Elite Men
Sadly not much video although there is a quick glimpse of the gravel action in the TV report.
Finish: https://www.tv2nord.dk/…
TV News report: https://www.tv2nord.dk/…
Rider report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds0WhHMuYmg
2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KYfuFtJBDI
And so as to compensate for the lack of action here is a link to a nice and calm film about Himmerland – Video: https://vimeo.com/26852688
La Classique Morbihan – June 1 2019– Results/Video posted
The 2018 edition featured dirt roads and a change of weather that saw Biblical like rain fall.
2018 Women
Videos: https://www.facebook.com/….
Videos: https://www.facebook.com/WNTROTOR/videos/1770794606342485/
Videos: https://www.facebook.com/WNTROTOR/videos/1770769013011711/
Pictures: https://www.facebook.com/WNTROTOR/posts/1770873559667923
Pictures: https://www.facebook.com/WNTROTOR/posts/1770862593002353
Website: http://www.grand-prix-plumelec.com/
3rd Women’s CiCLE Classic – June 9 2019 – Results/Video posted
The 3rd Women’s edition of the popular International CiCLE Classic and a round of the HSBC British Championship Series. Held over the same dirt tracks as the men in April.
2018 Women
Video: https://www.facebook.com/britishcycling/videos/….
Previous years
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew-CZeXvfik
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLzzqRWThbM
Website: http://www.cicleclassic.co.uk/
Dwars Door Het Hageland – June 21 2019 – Results/Video posted
2018 was a very dusty day on the cobbles and gravel, but if it rains….
2018 Men
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M76ANXL0XxQ
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hAXSiYci_U
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BwmDHwez9E
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XCoEEF4yv4
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hAXSiYci_U&t=727s
Video: https://www.facebook.com/corendoncircus/…
Previous years
Final K’s – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhSxwEt0tTg&t=12s
Full race – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYaEoHiXTAM
Website: http://www.dwarsdoorhethageland.be/
Tour de France Stage 6- Mulhouse /La Planche des Belles Filles – July 11 2019– Results/Video posted
A wee bit of dirt at the end of the first real mountain test for the Tour de France riders when they ride up to the summit of the La Planche des Belles Filles. This 5.5km climb has seen a number of Tour finishes, but for the first time the riders will continue up a one kilometre dirt road to the summit proper.
2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWhejQkI-mI
In 2018 the Tour took in 20 kilometres of Roubaix pave and the Gravel ascent of the Plateau des Glières (also featured in Le Tour de Savoie Mont Blanc) – 2018 Results/Video
Website: https://www.letour.fr/en/stage-6
The Galway Classic – July 14– Results/Video posted
A new non UCI men’s race that features 11 sectors of mixed surface ‘roads’ to be held in Galway, Ireland on July 14 and organised by Galway Bay CC.
Dubbed the ‘Hell of the West’.
2019 Previews
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLh0XNnUTfs
Video: https://www.facebook.com/Galwayclassiccyclerace/videos/1041843016003694/
Video: https://www.facebook.com/Galwayclassiccyclerace/videos/520528171811890/
Video: https://www.facebook.com/Galwayclassiccyclerace/videos/295452318013183/
Video: https://www.facebook.com/Galwayclassiccyclerace/videos/1041843016003694/
Video: https://www.facebook.com/Galwayclassiccyclerace/videos/2200466166741416/
Video: https://www.facebook.com/Galwayclassiccyclerace/videos/351656055730171/
Video: https://www.facebook.com/Galwayclassiccyclerace/videos/329678264595261/
Video: https://www.facebook.com/Galwayclassiccyclerace/videos/632521060581007/
Report: http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/gravel-cycling-race-galway-classic/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/Galwayclassiccyclerace/
Website: http://www.galwaybaycycling.com/
Adriatica Ionica Stage 2 – July 25 (July 24/28)– Results/Video posted
The second stage of the elite men’s Adriatica Ionica travels from Favaro Veneto to Grado (189 Km) in Italy and contains six sections of gravel.
2018 Video
Long version: https://www.youtube.com/…
Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/…
2018 Pictures: https://airace.it/en/gallery/
Website: https://www.adriaticaionicarace.com/
Slag om Norg- August 11 2019 – Results/Video posted
A Dutch race held near to Assen and features some 30 kilometres of gravel, dirt and unpaved roads in the overall race distance of 190.5 Kms. The sections of unpaved roads number over 40!
2018 Men
Video: https://www.rtvdrenthe.nl/nieuws/….
Video: ttps://www.facebook.com/PodiumTVnl/...
Video: http://www.dvhn.nl/sport/…
Video: https://www.youtube.com/…
Previous years
Highlights – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plNCRVAzdKY
Highlights – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXKPPsJLSb0&t=6s
Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQyEZTw__fE&t=108s
Website: http://slagomnorg.nl/
Postnord Vargarda West Sweden UCI World Tour – August 18 2019 – Results/Video posted
A round of the Women’s UCI World Tour set in western Sweden and the race features four sections of gravel.
2018 Women
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2qTLygqhV0
Pictures: http://velofocus.com/vargarda-road-race-2018/
Website: http://www.vargardacycling.se/
Ronde van de Achterhoek – August 18 2019 – Results/Video posted
Thirteen stretches of of gravel and cobbles are included in this race. Although the race itself is not UCI registered it does represent the bread and butter of the very competitive cycle race scene to be found in the area.
The race founded in 1969 came back to life in 2017 after stopping post the 1988 edition.
2018 Men
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/286534572
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY0r3-B_gCU
Website: http://www.rondevandeachterhoek.nl/ and http://www.rondevandeachterhoek.nl/index.php/nieuws/…
Colorado Classic Stage 1 – August 22 – Results/Video posted
The Colorado Classic stage race runs from August 22 to the 25th and for 2019 it is for women only after the organisers dispensed with the men’s race.
In 2018 the race started off in Vail with a gravel climb near race start which they took on for a number of laps and this time in 2019 stage one is out and back from Steamboat Springs.
The route of 88k has plenty of hills and includes 10k of gravel.
2019 live streaming: https://www.facebook.com/GCNracing/videos/382441005749616/
Stage 1 2019 preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-9nPLhhVg8
Stage 1 2019 Parcours: https://www.coloradoclassic.com/2019-stage-1-steamboat-spring
2018 Elite Women Video
Highlights (Geo restricted in many countries): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yHl6EJRkjY&t=45s
Onboard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgWKWrCe-Wk
2018 report/pics: https://www.velonews.com/2018/08/news/colorado-classic-gallery-stage-1-surprise_474781
The 2018 Elite Men’s video highlights seem not to be Geo-restricted so here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8o-uQbmOcc&t=151s
Website: https://www.coloradoclassic.com/
The Great War Remembrance Race – August 30 2019 CANCELLED
The first edition of the Great War Remembrance Race was held in 2018 and the race route follows the bitter World War One fighting line in Flanders.
The race is a smaller relation to the Gent Wevelgem road race, the event covers three ‘dirt’ sections – ploegsteerts or ‘plug streets’.
2018 Men
The Crater (Plug Street) : https://www.facebook.com/…
Palingbeek (cobbles): https://www.facebook.com/…
Kemmelberg (climb): https://www.facebook.com/…
The finish: https://www.facebook.com/...
The finish: https://www.youtube.com/…
Podium in Ypres: https://www.facebook.com/…
Links
Plug streets
Riding the Kemmelberg
Buried in Germany
Website: https://www.greatwarremembrancerace.be/en/race
La Vuelta stage 9: Andorra la Vella – Cortals d’Encamp 96.8 kms – September 1 2019 – Results/Video posted
There are four kilometres of gravel immediately preceding the final ascent of Cortals d’Encamp, in total the peloton will face tackle 22 kilometres of almost continuous climbing at stage end.
The final climb is to be ridden from the opposite direction than in previous Vuelta’s so we are looking for video (lots as per previous races).
Website: https://www.lavuelta.es/en/stage-9
Gylne Gutuer GP – September 8 2019
Norway is made up of gravel roads and this race held as part of the Uno-X Development Weekend. It features 28 sections of the loose stuff, some 54.8 km of the 165 race distance was gravel.
The Hafjell GP (TT) is on the Friday, the Lillehammer GP (tarmac) on Saturday with Gylne Gutuer following on Sunday.
2018 Men
2018 Bike cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAXmuTXk5Nc
2018 Pictures: https://www.udw.no/copy-of-photos-lgp
Previous Years
Video 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NURKK2_EvY
Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyJid_Jh_Kk
Website: https://www.udw.no/
Antwerp Port Epic – September 8 2019
The general ethos of the Schaal Sels (now held purely on tarmac) can be seen in the ‘Antwerp Port Epic’ and the race continues to honour the memory of Belgian cycling journalist Jacques-Charles Sels who died during the 1920 Milan-Antwerp road race.
2018 Men
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaR0I0n5Czw
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaR0I0n5Czw..
Video: https://atv.be/nieuws/video….
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRHkBxjQPHs
Previous Years – ‘Schaal Sels’
Full Race – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M-H4StjEys
Dusty tracks 1 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qJHz-GqKzk
Dusty tracks 2 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wzTPaP3us4
Final/Results – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smspa3WglhU&t=18s
Website: – http://www.schaalsels.be/
Paris Tours – October 13 2019
The usual sprinters festival that is Paris Tours was given a big pep for 2018 with the addition of seven sharp climbs and over 12 kilometres of gravel roads.
Within the last 60 kilometres the race begins a number of sectors of gravel roads through Vouvray appellation vineyards.
DS Tom Southam wrote about the 2018 edition of Paris-Tours in Soigneur magazine and the introduction of sections of ‘chemins du vin’ in a race that was in need of change – go read.
2018 Men
Gravel: https://www.facebook.com/paristours/…
Highlights: https://www.facebook.com/…
Highlights: https://www.facebook.com/paristours/…
Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kY-9a6rN_w
Pictures: https://www.facebook.com/paristours/…
Pictures: https://www.facebook.com/pelotonmagazine/…
Vineyard gravel video – https://www.facebook.com/paristours/videos/1958902594166638/
Website: https://www.paris-tours.fr/fr
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